NEW! Introduction to Chain Mail, 6:30-9:30pm Mondays, January 7-28 — Learn the ancient art of chain mail in this beginner-friendly class. Students will learn round weaves and flat weaves, and will each make a bracelet out of copper chain mail to take home. Appropriate for adults and teens 14 and up. Taught by Celine Browning, Somerville metals artist and art teacher.

NEW! One, Two, 3D: Found Art Mosaic Workshop, 2-4pm Saturday, January 12 — Join us for this family-friendly fun afternoon workshop! Start with a surface: wood, plexi-glass, or the motherboard from a computer. Add 2D materials like photos, newspapers, maps, bubble wrap and aluminum foil. Then take your pick from buckets of recycled 3D debris like computer parts, buttons, shells, and other small objects. Come out with a beautiful piece of art to hang on your wall! Easy as one, two, 3D. Taught by Melissa Glick, Asylum member, artist and educator.

Introduction to Foam Fabrication, 7-9:30pm Tuesdays, January 8-29 – The much-demanded foam class returns, new and improved! Learn the ins and outs of creating foam sculpture and prototypes, from hand-sized pieces to 15′ catfish. This class addresses carving, sanding, and finishing techniques, and is taught by Bob Field, professional foam fabricator of more than twenty years, owner of Foam Props, and a specialist in the 18-to-60-foot sculptural range.

Quick’n’Dirty EL Wire Workshop,12-5pm Saturday, January 19 — EL wire is short for electroluminescent wire – meaning a flexible, durable, waterproof string of light! It’s a quick, cheap, and low-skill medium with a high visual impact. In this workshop you’ll gain the skills necessary to produce long-lasting, durable, eye-catching EL wire costume pieces or decorations, and you’ll go home with a project that will wow your friends and family. Taught by Ecco, professional illustrator, mixed-media artist and sculptor and longtime Asylum member and instructor.

Decorate Your Own Dig Box, 7-8:30pm Tuesdays, January 8-29 — Artisan’s Asylum has a unique opportunity to create public art for the greater Boston area, and we want you to take part! DigBoston, popular local news outlet, has partnered up with us to keep our city streets rust-free and art-ful. Dig gives us broken down newspaper boxes, and you repair one and transform it into a unique yet functional work of art. No previous experience necessary, just commitment and a willingness to get creative. Participants will have their final work celebrated and published on the Digboston.com website, and installed on the street for the world to see. Ecco, professional illustrator, mixed-media artist and sculptor and Dig Box transformer, will help you work your way through this complex and exciting project.

Business Consulting for Artists & Makers: Office Hours, By Appointment — This is a FREE service offered to Artisan’s Asylum members. Dan Trajman holds open hours by appointment for anyone who would like consultation on business-related concerns: register now to reserve a slot!

Bicycle Maintenance

Bicycle Maintenance I,7-9pm Wednesdays, January 9-30 — You may know how to ride your bicycle, but if you don’t know how to take care of it you’ll end up losing speed, causing damage, or stranded with a flat tire. Get your bike skills in shape before the bad weather hits this fall commuter season! Taught by Seven Of Nine, regular Asylum instructor, SCUL pilot, graduate of the Broadway Bicycle School, and general bike builder/modifier extraordinaire.

Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing

CNC Art to Part,Sunday, December 16, 11:30am-2:30pm — In three hours, learn how to turn a 3D computer model into a network of interlocking flat shapes that can be cut out on an Asylum CNC router! Students will learn the use of 123Make, Inkscape, Draftsight, and CamBam. Taught by Judah Sher, Asylum member and industrial designer who’s been designing, building, and selling his own CNC router over the past two years.

CNC Programming: Intro to CamBam, 12:30-2:30pm Sunday, January 13 — Want to learn how to make your own files to run on the Asylum’s Blackfoot CNC router? In just a couple of hours Judah Sher will teach you the basics of profiling, pocketing, and engraving in this popular free CAM software. Judah’s an Asylum member and industrial designer who’s been designing, building, and selling his own CNC router over the past two years.

Organic Modeling in Blender1:30-3:30pm, Sunday, January 27 — Learn how to make interesting organic forms using the sculpting tools inside Blender, a free and open source 3D modeling program. You’ll learn techniques that can be used to quickly model all sorts of shapes, from animal heads to jewelry. Generate your own models, warp and edit existing 3D designs, and export your files so that they’re ready to be made on a 3D printer! Taught by Judah Sher (see above).

Tool Training: CNC Woodcutting Router,Sunday, January 13 or 27, 3:30-6:30pm — This three-hour training runs you through the basic operations of the CNC wood-cutting router. Each student will take the machine through an entire workflow cycle, from starting up and homing the machine to part removal and clean-up, leaving with a small product they made themselves. No software experience of any kind needed. Taught by Judah Sher (see above).

Tool Training: 3D Printer, Sundays, 4-6pm — This class fully trains and prepares students for using the uPrint SE Plus 3D printer independently, whenever they need projects made. Members who have taken this class receive a substantial discount on materials when using the printer to make 3D models. Taught by Peter Montgomery, student and rapid prototyping enthusiast. Also available in January.

Digital Media

NEW! Intermediate Processing: Introduction to Generative Art (Brought to you by CEMI) Saturday, January 26, 10am – 5pm — This course is an intermediate Processing workshop suitable for students with a beginner-level familiarity with the language. Students will learn concepts critical to generative art, such as object management, tasteful use of randomness, and more sophisticated visual techniques. Taught by Nathan Lachenmyer, quantum physicist, electrical engineer, and interactive & generative artist.

Electronics

Introduction to Arduino,7:30-9:30pm Wednesdays, January 9 – February 6 — Learn how to program and use an Arduino! This easy-to-learn open source microcontroller board takes all sorts of sensor inputs, follows user-generated programs, and outputs data and power. Arduinos are commonly used in robotics, mechatronics, and all manners of electronics projects around the world. Taught by David Stokes, professional software developer with a long previous career as a technical artist in the video game industry, electronics enthusiast, and longtime Asylum member, instructor and volunteer.

Quick’n’Dirty EL Wire Workshop,12-5pm Saturday, January 19 — EL wire is short for electroluminescent wire – meaning a flexible, durable, waterproof string of light! It’s a quick, cheap, and low-skill medium with a high visual impact. In this workshop you’ll gain the skills necessary to produce long-lasting, durable, eye-catching EL wire costume pieces or decorations, and you’ll go home with a project that will wow your friends and family.

Glass/Lampworking

Hot Glass: 1-Day Introduction,Sunday, January 6 & 29, 11am-5:30pm – Experience the thrill of sticking a rod of glass into an open flame and working the molten glass. This one-day workshop will be a hands-on introduction to flameworking with glass for those with little or no experience. Students will be able bring home a bead, pendant, marble, or small sculpture, made that day! Taught by Joanne Soroka, professional lampworker, artist, jewelery-maker, and teacher.

Hot Glass Tool Training,6:30-9:30pm Monday, January 14 — This is the intermediate step necessary for anyone looking to use the lampworking studio at Artisan’s Asylum. Students will review and demonstrate the safe handling of gas tanks, steel tools, brass tools, graphite tools, as well as general safety precautions pertaining to work in that space. Prior attendance in Hot Glass: 1-Day Introduction (or the equivalent with permission of the instructor) is required as a prerequisite.

Jewelry/Metalsmithing

NEW! Texturing Metal: Youth Edition, 1-4pm Mondays, January 14 – February 11 — Explore creating diverse and interesting textures on metal using various mechanical and chemical processes in this exciting class for youth ages 11 and up! Students will create a personal library of metal samples with stamps, textures, photoetching and embossing to be used later and applied to their own work. Students will learn how to properly use a high end rolling mill and a jewelers flex shaft. Together the group will create a collage wall piece for Artisans Asylum. Taught by Karen Christians, Asylum member, professional jewelry-maker and artist, published author, and founder of Cleverwerx, e-commerce metalsmith and jewelry website, and Metalwerx, jewelry school in Waltham, MA.

Jewelry I: Basic Metalsmithing, 1-4pm and 6-9pmTuesdays, January 15 – February 12 – Welcome to the world of jewelry making! In this introductory series, students will learn some of the metalsmithing techniques used in jewelry construction, including resin inlay, photo etching, cold connections, soldering, design and layout. At the end of five weeks, you’ll have made a ring and a personalized sketchbook with applique copper and brass-decorated cover! Taught by Karen Christians (see above).

NEW! Jewelry III: Independent Study, 1-4pm and 6-9pm Thursdays, January 17 – February 14 – Refine the skills you learned in Jewelry I by investigating a broader scope of metal techniques. Over five weeks, students will learn more complex soldering operations and become more comfortable with the tools and equipment provided while exploring metal processes including rivets, scoring and bending for boxes, a hollow formed ring, etching and freeform prong set stones or object captures. Taught by Karen Christians (see above).

Machining

Manual Machining & Layout (Machining Like A Pro),7:30-9:30pm Thursdays, January 10 – February 21 — An expansion on our classic metal machining class, this 6-week course will teach you not only the operation of the milling machine and the metal lathe, but also the layout and design skills necessary to help you to make metal parts to exacting specifications like a pro. Taught by Christian Weagle, long-time Asylum machining instructor and professional roboticist at Boston Dynamics.

Precision Machining: Build a Model Engine, 7:30-9:30pmTuesdays, January 8-29, — In this follow-up to Christian’s popular Manual Machining & Layout class, students will apply their basic machining and layout skills to build their own model steam engine. Students will work from plans, lay out part features on rough stock, create fixtures, machine parts and assemble a working engine — whether the interlocking moving parts work together will be the test of their precision machining skills! Taught by Christian Weagle (see above).

Introduction to TIG Welding,7:30-9:30pm Mondays, January 7-28 — Come learn how to weld with Skunk! TIG welding is a precise type of welding generally used to make space frames (like bicycle frames) and small pieces. Students learn operation of a TIG welder and a large range of supporting equipment for a variety of materials and joint types. Taught by Skunk, metal sculptor, graphic designer, bike builder, Grand Poobah of the nerd bicycle gang SCUL, and long-time Asylum TIG welding instructor and member.

Metalworking Intensive, 7-10pm Wednesdays, January 9-30 — In this class, the instructors will guide students through professional-grade steel construction skills in the building of industrial steel stools, storage racks, and work tables for the shops of the Asylum. By the end of the session, students will have learned all the skills necessary to building load-bearing steel structures, including cutting, grinding, jigging, and MIG welding. Taught by Calvin Domenico and Edison Gieswein, long-time Asylum members and volunteers who’ve been manufacturing professionally and for pleasure for much of their careers.

Mixed-Media Furniture: Wood + Metal Tables,7-9:30pm Thursdays, January 10-31 — In this exciting new class, build your own coffee or end tables using a wooden top and a sheet metal base. Students will alternate between the wood shops and metal shops, learning wood joinery, sanding, finishing and staining techniques, along with metal shearing, fitting, welding, and finishing. For all skill levels. Taught by Paul Carson, professional engineer, metalworking enthusiast, and bike builder, and Peter Montague, master woodworker and graduate of the North Bennett St. School, and Asylum member, woodworking instructor, and woodshop manager.

Build Your Own Bike Frame,10am-1pm Saturdays, January 12 – March 2 — Ever frustrated by riding a bike just not shaped well for you? Ever tempted to try and build your own frame, but not sure where to start? This is the class for you! Over four weeks, students will build a custom-fit bicycle frame from steel tubes, using Fillet brazed, lugged, or TIG welded construction. Taught by Paul Carson, Asylum member, engineer, and self-taught bicycle designer.

Sculptural Metalworking, 2-5:30pm Sundays, January 6 – February 3 – Ecco’s popular metal sculpture class returns! This class is intended to be an introduction to sculptural metalworking techniques, featuring MIG welders, spot welders, and cold forming. Students will learn how to express themselves artistically through steel. Taught by Ecco, professional illustrator, mixed-media artist and sculptor and longtime Asylum member and instructor.

Introduction to Brazing, Returning Soon! — Brazing is a uniquely useful metal joining process that allows for joining dissimilar metals and joining metals that could not otherwise be joined by welding. Learn about joint design, brazing technique, and practice joining dissimilar metals; join very thin steel (.010 thick!) to thick steel plates, and join thin walled steel tubes without welding. Even learn how to repair castings made from iron alloys with poor weldability! Taught by Ethan Labowitz, professional metalworker and instructor and founder of the Boston Institute for Clean Energy Prototyping (BICEP).

Sculptural Metalworking: Youth Edition!Returning Soon! Thursdays, 1-4pm, November 29 – December 20 – Ecco’s popular metal sculpture class returns, this time for kids! This class is intended to be an introduction to sculptural metalworking techniques, featuring MIG welders, spot welders, and cold forming. Students will learn how to express themselves artistically through steel. Ideal for homeschoolers between the ages of 12 and 16.

Tool Training: Oxy-Acetylene Welding, Cutting, & Heating, Thursday, December 16, 7-10pm — The oxy-acetylene (O/A) rig is arguably the most versatile, potentially dangerous, and misunderstood piece of equipment in any metal shop. This one-shot class will demonstrate welding, cutting, brazing, and heating, and teach you how to set up, operate, and shut down an oxy-acetylene rig without harming yourself, other Asylumers, or the equipment. Taught by Ethan Labowitz, professional metalworker and instructor and founder of the Boston Institute for Clean Energy Prototyping (BICEP), and Paul Carson, professional engineer, metalworking enthusiast, and bike builder.

Woodworking

NEW! Woodworking: Build a Bookcase,7-10pm Wednesdays, January 9 or 16 – February 6– Everyone needs a bookcase or several, so what better way to hone your woodworking skills than building your own? The class is open to both intermediate/beginners, and novices (with the addition of a tool training session). Taught by Carolyn Emberley, lifelong maker and artist, and longtime Asylum member, volunteer, and sewing and woodworking instructor.

Woodworking: Build a Chair,7-9:30 Mondays, January 7 or 14 – February 4 — In this new fast-paced introduction to woodworking techniques, learn to build a piece of attractive wooden furniture (in this case, a wooden kitchen chair) from start to finish. Learn to work rough lumber to finished surface, introducing every major tool in the shop on the way. Appropriate for complete newbies and those looking to expand existing skills. (Class also includes one month’s unlimited membership to the Asylum.) Taught by Chris Fitzhugh, returning Asylum instructor, lifetime woodworker, and robotics entrepreneur.

Mixed-Media Furniture: Wood + Metal Tables,7-9:30pm Thursdays, January 10-31 — In this exciting new class, build your own coffee or end tables using a wooden top and a sheet metal base. Students will alternate between the wood shops and metal shops, learning wood joinery, sanding, finishing and staining techniques, along with metal shearing, fitting, welding, and finishing. For all skill levels. Taught by Paul Carson, professional engineer, metalworking enthusiast, and bike builder, and Peter Montague, master woodworker and graduate of the North Bennett St. School, and Asylum member, woodworking instructor, and woodshop manager.

Sewing & Fiber Arts

Introduction to Sewing, 2-4pm Tuesdays, January 15 – February 5 — Learn your way around a sewing machine while making a pair of comfortable drawstring pants. You can learn on our machines or bring your own! This 4-week basic intro class brings students quickly through the process from pattern to cutting to pinning, sewing machine basics, to seams and buttons and hems. Appropriate for students ages 12 to adult. Taught by Carolyn Emberley, lifelong maker and artist, and longtime Asylum member, volunteer, and sewing and woodworking instructor.

Sewing: Basic Alterations, 7:30-9pm Thursdays, January 10 – February 21 — In this exciting offering from professional clothing designer Zoya Derevyannich, students will work over six weeks to become comfortable making basic alterations to their own (or others’ clothings). Finally finish that pair of pants you’ve been meaning to shorten or that dress or shirt you’ve always wanted to take in! With over a dozen years of experience in men’s and women’s clothing alteration, Zoya is the owner of Zoya Designs, specializing in custom fashion design, alterations, and private collection.

NEW! Make-Your-Own Pattern: 1-Day Skirt Workshop,11am-5pm, Saturday, January 19 – You’ll come out of this fun, short class with a completed skirt that you can wear! You will learn how to measure yourself to create either a pencil skirt or circle skirt without using a pattern. Taught by Carolyn Emberley, lifelong maker and artist, and longtime Asylum member, volunteer, and sewing and woodworking instructor.

For our full roster of Tool Training sessions, designed for those self-starters who already know what you want to build, are accustomed to working on your own, and just want to learn how to use the tools you need safely, check out the list on our Tool Training & Testing page.

Refund Policy: We offer full refunds for any class cancellations more than three days in advance of the class start date. After that point refunds are contingent upon the Asylum being able to fill the seat. No refunds are offered for same-day cancellations.

a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization furnishing education, tools, workspace, and community to empower dedicated fabricators, including hobbyists, artists, and early stage entrepreneurs, to create on large or small scale. We serve the Somerville and global creative makerspace community, the arts, and the innovation economy with the goal of making the world a place where sincere, creative individuals are able give form to their ideas.

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